The Bluffs Recreation Area is excited to introduce a new addition that connects Pine Bluffs to a global wildlife research network—the Motus Wildlife Tracking System.
What is Motus?
The name Motus is Latin for “movement,” and that’s exactly what this system is designed to study. The Motus Wildlife Tracking System is a proven radio telemetry network that detects and records animals fitted with tiny transmitters whenever they pass within range of a receiver station.
Depending on terrain and elevation, a Motus station—like the one located at the Bluffs—can detect tagged animals from as far as 12 miles away. This allows scientists to track migration and movement patterns across vast distances.
Today, Motus is a truly global effort, with:
- Over 2,300 stations worldwide (more than 1,600 in the Americas)
- 474 species being tracked
- More than 61,000 animals tagged
- Participation from 34 countries
Data collected here contributes to research used by scientists across Canada, the United States, and Europe.
Why Pine Bluffs?
Pine Bluffs is an ideal location for a Motus station for several important reasons:
- Elevation: At approximately 5,300 feet, the Bluffs provide excellent signal range
- Important Bird Habitat: The area is home to prairie bird species such as the Thick-billed Longspur and Chestnut-collared Longspur
- Strategic Location: Situated in eastern Laramie County near the Nebraska border, helping fill a key gap in the network
- Accessibility: Easy access for installation and maintenance
- Connectivity: Availability of Wi-Fi to support data transmission
While a few Motus stations exist in western Wyoming, and a recent installation in Glendo, this project helps expand coverage in eastern Laramie County.
A Collaborative Effort
This project is made possible through partnerships with organizations dedicated to conservation and research, including the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies and Audubon Rockies.
The shared goal is to continue expanding the Motus network and improve our understanding of wildlife movement across the Great Plains.
Benefits to the Pine Bluffs Community
The Motus station brings exciting opportunities to Pine Bluffs:
- Puts Pine Bluffs “on the map” for birders and wildlife enthusiasts
- Promotes local conservation and scientific research
- Provides public access to real wildlife tracking data
- Creates opportunities for education and community engagement
The local library is already part of the effort—offering a birding backpack for families—and future programs and activities may be developed around the station and the species it detects.
Explore Live Data
Want to see what’s been detected at the Pine Bluffs station? You can explore real-time and recent animal detections here:
👉 https://motus.org/dashboard/#e=profile&d=stations&s=16015&t=animalsDetected
